Multiple thoracic disc herniations misdiagnosed as FND

[jhsbipolarfnd92]

I have miraculous news that I thought would never come. I'd fully accepted the FND diagnosis at age 27 and coped with terrible pain, unilateral upper and lower limb paresis, use of wheelchair, and 2 years of disability. But this week, after 2 years of having an FND diagnosis , my spine was finally x-rayed and signs of multiple herniated thoracic discs were discovered, as well as joint degeneration in my lumbar spine.

I injured my upper back at work 2 years ago during a lifting accident and haven't worked since. The injury was well-documented in my chart yet never x-rayed or MRI-d. Because my paresis and pain is unilateral concentrated below my navel, no focus was placed on this injury that occured 3 months before "FND" symptoms began. I was put in physical therapy for 14 months for hip pain that only made "FND" symptoms worse.

3 neurologists and countless doctors put me through every test imaginable. I've had imaging tests of every part of my body except my spine and blood tests for everything from Wilson's Disease to Lead poisoning. I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and I know now I was misdiagnosed because of this existing mental health condition. For example, my secons neurologist (of three) attributed my severe hyperreflexia and positive Hoffman sign to anxiety. Hyperreflexia is a major sign of thoracic disc herniation and this is now supported by objective radiographic images.

I'm so glad I didn't stop looking, but it took finding a physical therapist who believed in my pain first and counted Bipolar as irrelevant. I believe my doctors in the last two years got lost "in the weeds" and instead of stopping to test the simplest explanation (spinal injury) opted to attribute it to an existing, yet well-managed, mental health condition.

[MONIREN]

I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that pain, really shows they can't see the forest for the trees. Why did they not do a simple x-ray and put you through FND therapy? Hopefully now they can help you and at least lessen the pain. It gives others hope to not stop searching. Take care.

[LouBL0u]

Thank you for sharing and I hope you now get the medical attention and support you deserve. FND can be so confusing, I have thought ok this is FND ... but I did experience a head blow and being unconscious has got to have affected my brain! Good luck to all trying to find answers xx

[210272]

So wrong that you were put through all this rather than getting an accurate diagnosis more rapidly. I hope you will get better service now and be able to access appropriate treatments - hats off to you for not giving up and hats off to your physical therapist too. I also hope you will be able to get your 'FND' diagnosis recorded as a misdiagnosis.

[jhsbipolarfnd92]

Hi all- thank you so much for your kind words. Being diagnosed with FND for two years hasn't been all bad. I think I learned how to be a better advocate for my mental health, how to document everything, and how to build a trustworthy team of care providers. I prioritized my mental health over anything else and I don't think I would have had that practice without being forced to do it.